Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy, Edwin Palma Egea, speaking to reporters. Photo: X/@PalmaEdwin.
Speaking at the 7th Ministerial Meeting on Energy of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Edwin Palma Egea, highlighted the recent agreement reached with Venezuela on energy matters, which allows for the promotion of a policy of interconnection between peoples, according to the website of the Venezuelan Ministry for Electric Energy.
Palma explained that “we are reopening the energy connection with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” and noted that both nations will celebrate three years of reopening their borders in September.
He added that this is “a way to revive those ties of cooperation; it’s energy, and that’s why we’re committed to the sister people of Venezuela, to bringing energy back, and I hope to be able to conduct tests there on the border in the coming weeks.”
It may be noted that on July 17, the governments of Colombia and Venezuela, represented by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and Chief of Staff of the Casa de Nariño, Alfredo Sadee, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the basis for the creation of a Binational Economic Zone of Peace, Union, and Development to strengthen integration in strategic areas, including energy.
Monomeros
It has also been announced that the Colombian government will sign a confidentiality agreement with Venezuela to proceed with the purchase of the Monómeros company, which is key to fertilizer production in Colombia. The Colombian government will be requesting an Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) license from the United States in order to move forward with the purchase, due to the restrictions imposed by illegal US sanctions.
“We hope the United States understands the need to exercise our sovereignty over food prices,” the Colombian minister stated, referring to the importance of Monómeros in ensuring food security and stabilizing agricultural input prices in Colombia.
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Energy commitment reaffirmed at the 7th CELAC Summit
Palma Egea reiterated the Colombia’s commitment to the Venezuelan people by announcing concrete progress in reactivating the energy interconnection between the two countries.
At a press conference at the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, where the 7th CELAC Energy Ministerial Meeting is being held, he stated, “We’re very close. We’ve been at it for three years; I don’t want to give a precise date. When we can begin the tests with five megawatts, it will be a significant milestone.”
The Colombian minister emphasized that access to energy not only represents development, but also justice and dignity for historically excluded communities, such as those living in the border area shared by both countries.
He also said that, despite their differences, Colombia remains fully willing to cooperate with Venezuela, recognizing that “the people, who are also Colombians—because there are Colombians from our country there—in Venezuela—need access to energy.”
Palma announced that the first power supply tests could begin along the border, marking another firm step toward a more connected and supportive Latin America. The delegation from Venezuela, was led by the Minister for Electric Energy Jorge Márquez.
(Últimas Noticias) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JB/SH
